You’ve heard all about how sitting for hours and hours each
day is slowly killing you, right? And all that sitting, well, it doesn’t
exactly transform your ab flab into a six-pack (sigh). But there is a way to get in a workout while
you’re planted on your booty, and there isn’t a single crunch or sit-up in
sight.

The solution? Subbing an exercise ball in for your desk
chair.

Sitting on an exercise ball requires you to keep your core
muscles—all of ‘em!—engaged just to stay upright. That means while you’re
burning the midnight oil, your abs are working, working, working. Take that,
spinny chair!

Bonus? Exercise balls also encourage you to sit upright,
leading to naturally perfect posture. Sitting and standing up straight makes ya
gain inches…and will stop Mom and Dad from pokin’ ya in the back when you’re
slouching.

The key to mastering the ball is to start slowly, with just
30 minutes of sitting a day for a few days, and building up to using it
exclusively as your new desk chair. Be sure to keep it full of air—and to grab
the right size. You can find one at any sporting goods store near you, and
check in with a sales associate to make sure you’re getting the one that’s
right for you.